Being catcalled or even being given a compliment is not what it used to be.
As time progresses and so does our language, the language of love and compliments continues to change.
However, there are some terms that have been historically used for the same purpose to express compliments toward a woman, love, and even lust. Take the term “hot,” for example.
It might be a mystery to some women how a term that originally meant the gauge of a temperature can be used to compliment someone.
What does it mean when a guy calls you hot? Is it a bad or good thing? Is it something you should take seriously?
Fortunately, the history of the term “hot” is well-documented, and there is no confusion about what it means.
When a guy calls you hot, it means he finds you sexy and attractive and even has a lustful desire for you.
It is a compliment most of the time, and the term has been around for hundreds of years.
However, it could also be seen as a negative term considering it might not be the best way to express emotional attraction to someone.
Using the term “hot” might only be skin-deep for a guy. It’s important to use other context clues to determine why a guy is calling you “hot.”
Table of Contents
Origins of the Term “Hot”
Although some people might associate the term “hot” as a modern, American way of expressing lustfulness and sexual desire, the word is actually rooted in English origins.
It’s important to understand where this term originated in order to figure out why a man might be calling you hot and to know if it truly means what you think it means (hint: there’s little doubt that hot means sexy!)
Did you know the first written use of the term “hot” was in 1926 in the magazine the New Republic?
In the magazine, the goddess Aphrodite, also known as Venus, was referred to as a hot mama! And for good reason.
The goddess is synonymous with love and has long been used in Greek mythology to represent love and lust.
In addition, the term “hot” was also used in the 13th-century piece of literature, The Canterbury Tales.
In it, a male character is described as being “As hot he was and lecherous as a sparrow.”
The term was solidified in meaning in American culture when a writer nicknamed John Dillinger again used the term hot in 1985 to describe, “hot young guys.”
The origin of the word, as you can see, has been dispersed throughout the past couple of hundred years.
However, one thing is certain, this term has always been used to describe:
- Sexiness
- Lustfulness
- Desire
- Doing things that are attractive (more on this later)
- Actual attractiveness
When It’s Used in a Good Way
Using the history of the term “hot” as outlined above, you can confidently deduce that this term means you are, in the eyes of a guy, an attractive person.
Many men will use the term “hot” amongst their buddies to describe you, or even through text messages.
Does “Hot” Mean He Really Likes Me?
It’s important to note that, while the term “hot” is complimentary, it doesn’t necessarily mean a guy has deep feelings for you.
On the contrary, it might be a superficial way of a guy letting you know he wants to hook up with you or desires you.
There are far better ways to express a guy’s true emotional feelings for you, such as:
- You’re a beautiful person
- You’re my everything
- I want to be with you
- I think you’re amazing
- I think you’re a great partner
When compared to these terms, the word “hot” just doesn’t seem to be as flattering or as full of deep desire as the rest of these terms.
Nevertheless, the term “hot” can still make sparks fly that can, eventually, lead to a deeper relationship.
When It’s Condescending
Unfortunately, not all guys will use the term “hot” in a positive way.
For instance, if a guy calls you a “hot piece of ass,” this is incredibly condescending and can be his way of intimidating you or even making you feel insecure.
It’s best to stay away from a guy that uses terms such as hot in a threatening manner.
Unless you know your partner is joking around or is doing dirty talk in the bedroom, using “hot” in this way demonstrates only lust and should be avoided.
“Hot” in Popular Culture
We couldn’t talk about the meaning of the word “hot” without talking about fashion and social icon Paris Hilton.
Paris Hilton is an American socialite who trademarked the phrase, “That’s hot.” in the early 2000s.
To put it simply, using the phrase, “That’s hot.” means “That’s super cool.” or “That’s super desirable and attractive.”
This phrase can be used for anything from cars to fashion, even to doing simple acts.
For instance, if you tell a guy that you like to volunteer at a soup kitchen in your free time, are studying to be a lawyer, or simply like spending your free time at home, they might respond with “that’s hot” to emphasize how genuinely attractive your actions are.
This can be a playful term, and it can mean that your guy partner truly likes you as a person!
What to Do If a Guy Calls You Hot
For women that are called hot, it might be a bit awkward to know what to do with that compliment or understand if it means anything serious.
Below are some things you can do once a man calls you hot. These things can help you clear up your confusion and get started on your next move!
Consider Who He Is
Again, being called hot is more of a physical compliment rather than a deep compliment.
As such, it’s important to examine the relationship you have with the person that called you hot.
If it’s your boyfriend, they might be being playful and simply trying to compliment you during a moment of lustful intensity.
Maybe that’s your boyfriend’s hint that he wants to take things to the bedroom for a second?
Consider whether your partner always uses this term, or simply ask him why he’s using this term now and what it means.
If a friend calls you hot, this could be a bit more confusing. Is your friend simply complimenting your outfit?
Or are they being a bit upfront about their feelings for you? When it comes to the term “hot,” chances are it’s just a compliment.
This is because there are much deeper terms to use besides “hot” for a guy friend to express his feelings for you.
A friend that wants to take things to the next level might say other things such as, “I want to talk about our friendship,” or, “Have you ever thought about us?”
Saying “That’s hot,” isn’t really a way to profess your feelings for another friend. If it is…this might not be the best partner to invest your time in!
Finally, there’s the possibility of being called hot by a stranger or a potential hookup.
This is perhaps the most common person you’ll find who calls you hot.
If you’re meeting a guy at a bar or club, they might call you hot in hopes of letting you know they want to hook up later on.
A guy can also call you hot through text messages, such as after seeing your Instagram or Tinder profile.
In this case, it’s easy to ask what they mean. Simply ask this potential hookup what his intentions are. Does he want a date or a one-night stand?
You can feel free to respond to these “You’re hot” texts with:
- Thank you
- You too
- Ok
- What do you want?
Or you can simply ignore it and move on!
Finding Genuine Passion
Being called hot is a compliment, but if it makes you uncomfortable, there’s no shame in telling your partner you’d rather be called something else.
Be open with your partner about the way this term makes you feel.
If it makes you feel objectified, tell your partner you want him to express his love for you in other ways.
Compliments about your thoughts, who you are as a person, or even specific compliments about your hair or outfit are all great substitutes.
If a man is making you uncomfortable and calling you “hot” while doing things like:
- Trying to touch you
- Cornering you
- Trying to hover over you
- Following you
These are all major red flags that you should try and seek help for.
If you’re in a club, try and reach out to local security or other patrons. Report this guy and get out of his grasp as soon as possible.
Final Thoughts
The term “hot” can be a fun way for a guy to express his lust and desire for you.
It could be a fun way to express that a guy finds you sexy, and it could also be a negative term that is used to objectify and cat-call women.
At the end of the day, the context, who the person calling you “hot” is, and how you respond to this compliment will all vary and change the meaning of the term from endearing to outright creepy!
